Ancient city of Pisidia Antiokheia holds unanswered secrets

UMUT ERDEM

Archaeological excavations continue at the ancient city of Pisidia Antiokheia in the western province of Isparta, the site visited by St. Paul and Barnabas in 46 A.D., where one of history’s first Christian sermons was preached.

Pisidia Antiokheia was one of the major cities of the Roman Empire during the period when St. Paul visited the region between A.D. 46 and 57. The city contains the remains of significant structures, including the Temple of Augustus, a theater, a monumental fountain, Roman baths and a stadium.

One of the most remarkable monuments is the Temple of Men, dedicated to the Anatolian moon god. According to Excavation Director Professor Mehmet Özhanlı from Süleyman Demirel University, the sanctuary was one of the most important religious centers of the ancient world. “The Temple of Men was as significant in antiquity as the Vatican is today. There is no other example like it anywhere in the world,” Özhanlı said.

The temple complex features crescent-shaped votive steles dedicated to Men, reflecting the city’s importance as a pagan pilgrimage site long before Christianity spread in the region.

Pisidia Antiokheia also holds a unique place in Christian history. St. Paul visited the city three times during his first missionary journey. His sermon delivered at the local synagogue is regarded as his first missionary address, after which mass conversions to Christianity took place.

The St. Paul Church, built in 325 on the remains of the synagogue where the sermon was delivered, is considered the oldest church dedicated to St. Paul. The basilica-style structure attracts around 40,000 visitors annually, most of them pilgrims from South Korea and Latin America. Pilgrims gather at the site each year on July 12 to attend a religious service.

Excavations at the 67-hectare site have so far uncovered only around 10 percent of the ancient city, Özhanlı said. Five churches have been identified to date and further discoveries are expected.

Researchers are currently searching for the city’s Asklepion, an ancient medical center believed to have existed in Pisidia Antiokheia. According to Özhanlı, St. Paul may have visited the city partly for medical treatment. Although the structure has not yet been located, its existence is confirmed by ancient coins and inscriptions.

Among recent discoveries is a 2024 find of an amulet depicting a crab, a symbol associated in ancient Greece with cancer. The inscription suggests it was commissioned by a woman’s daughter as a prayer for her mother’s recovery.